When it comes to concealed carry, choosing the right firearm is only half the equation. The other half, and just as important is your choice of ammunition. The best gun in the world won’t do much for you if it’s loaded with subpar rounds that underperform in a defensive situation.
Let’s break down what actually matters when choosing the right carry ammo, and why it’s not all about brand names or hype.
Hollow Point vs. Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
This is the first line in the sand.
FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) rounds are designed for training, not defense. They punch through targets with little expansion and high risk of over-penetration.
Hollow Points are designed to expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and reducing the risk of going through the target and hitting someone else.
For carry, always go with a quality hollow point. The last thing you want is for your bullet to go through the bad guy, through the wall, down the street, through the ice cream truck, and hitting an innocent person just trying to buy their snow cone on a hot summer day.
Terminal Performance Matters
You’re not just looking for stopping power, you’re looking for controlled expansion and sufficient penetration (12 – 18 inches in ballistic gel is the FBI standard).
Look for ammo that:
Expands consistently
Performs well through barriers (clothing, drywall, etc.)
Maintains weight and doesn’t fragment excessively
Top Performers:
These are trusted by law enforcement and civilian carriers alike:
Federal HST
Speer Gold Dot
Hornady Critical Defense / Critical Duty
Sig V- Crown
Hornady American Gunner
Caliber vs. Control
It’s easy to get caught up in caliber wars, but accuracy and shot placement matter more than size. The best ammo for you is what you can control under stress.
Common Calibers:
9mm: The most popular for good reason – manageable recoil, high capacity, and wide ammo availability.
.380 ACP: Lower recoil, great for subcompact guns, but pick premium ammo only.
.40 S&W / .45 ACP: More stopping power, but often at the cost of recoil and follow-up shot speed.
.22LR or .25 ACP aren’t ideal for carry unless recoil sensitivity is an issue, and even then, use high-penetration rounds like Federal Punch.
Test Before You Carry
Every gun behaves differently with different ammo. What runs flawlessly in one pistol might choke in another. Always:
Run at least 50–100 rounds of your chosen carry ammo through your firearm
Test for feeding reliability, ejection, and accuracy
Check for point of impact shift compared to your training ammo
Don’t Cheap Out on Carry Ammo
Yes, carry ammo is expensive and $1.00+ per round isn’t uncommon. But this isn’t plinking ammo. This is life-saving gear.
Buy a couple boxes, test one, and load the other into your mags. Rotate your carry ammo every 6 – 12 months, especially if you carry daily.
Final Thoughts
The best concealed carry ammo is the one that runs reliably in your firearm, hits where you aim, and performs consistently under real-world conditions. Hollow points from trusted brands are the standard — don’t settle for less.
Train smart. Carry smart. Stay ready.